WINDHAM, Conn. (WTNH) — Troop K in Colchester covers about a dozen towns and State Police say that last year they responded to 172 of what would be considered burglaries or breaking-ins: the type of crime that happened in Windham on Monday.

In that break-in two young children were home, while hiding in the bathroom they called 911 as the thieves ransacked their house stealing jewelry and money.

“Our major crime detectives have assumed the investigation into the home invasion and they are making positive steps to bring this to a conclusion,” said Sgt. Donna Tadiello, State Police.

The burglars had just kicked in the door of the bedroom next to where the kids were huddled when a family friend arrived and scared them away. The family says troopers came more than an hour after that. A delay that is now the focus of a State Police internal investigation.

“If it was an hour and half that the delay in getting these troopers to the scene if that did take place that could be deemed as unacceptable and at the conclusion of the internal investigation action will be taken at that time,” said Sgt. Tadiello.

News 8 spoke to the Mayor of Windham earlier this week.

“Unacceptable,” said Mayor Ernier Eldridge.

He believes the problem was a dispatcher who didn’t immediately alert troopers. The key may be the 911 tapes. State Police are listening to them now and News 8 has requested to do the same.

“As a State Police we try and strive for the best response times to any call and most definitely an immediate response time in a serious case like this is optimal,” said Sgt. Tadiello.

Dispatchers for Troop K used to work out of the Colchester location, but now they’re up at the regional dispatch center in Tolland. The Mayor of Windham, however, says being in that location has nothing to do with the delay.

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